lajendi

date

DH and I went out last night, much needed after the lunacy of the past few weeks.

We spent some of our time at Barnes and Noble. The local library doesn't have alot of new titles so when I'm  interested in something I'd like current info on ol' B&N becomes my library. No, I don't feel guilty about this, after all why put a coffee shop and cushy chairs if you don't expect people to sit and stay a while? Although it does remind me of a line from the Simpsons, Apu: "Hey, hey, this is not a lending library. If you're not going to buy that thing put it down or I'll blow your heads off!"

These were the titles I investigated, the first I studied very intently and became depressed that I'm old to be starting down this road.

 

 

 

 

 

Along these lines, Baby may have milk sensitivities too. I'll just say this, when I got her out of bed this morning she went straight into the bathtub, did not pass go and did not collect $100.

 

(not an exact replica)

DH bought this:

 

 

 

I purchased nothing because there is a pile of books waiting by the bed and a Psych text that needs my attention.  Upon arriving home I did read more in this though-

 

 

 

 

The Italy section was the best in my opinion, reminded me of Under the Tuscan Sun (book not movie, never the movie, poop on the movie) There were a few points of interest about relaxation and yoga but she is not the best writer for metaphysical stuff. ("stuff"- obviously I'm not one to write about it either).

IMO books and music always go well together. While writing this post and studying yesturday I enjoyed Jason Mraz's new album. More mello than his earlier work, but that's about par for me.

better

I woke with the sun and my achy knees. Last night I scrubbed the bathroom so I could sleep with satisfaction of accomplishing something toward allergy relief and my knees wanted to remind me of it. Being awake anyway I went for a dawn walk. There were:

6 squirrels, one of them dead

a house without a front door

3 rabbits

a bird house, meaning a regular size house with birds all over it and well pooped on. Hopefully for those who live there it is intentional.. the birds, not the poop.

over 50 headstones as I walked through the cemetary to remind myself that I still have many days left in which to accomplish innumerable great things.

peonies- red, pink, & white

dew on the grass

sun rising in the sky

Arriving home I felt much better, especially while taking a shower in my well scrubbed bathroom. Feeling better.

Here's a piece of Baby's birthday

Still haven't found...

..what I'm looking for. And that is an answer for A's health issues.

The last two days have been a roller coaster. The Dr called in the middle of Baby's birthday announcing that A has allergies to wheat, tomatoes, mold and dust mites (but said not to worry about lactose). He referred us to an Allergist and said, "You'll need more testing to see if you need to carry an epi pen and those type issues." I did not respond calmly to 'epi pen' - it denotes life threatening allergy. Much to DH's chagrin I spun myself in circles trying to decide what to make for dinner that didn't include wheat or tomatoes. Beans and rice with no seasoning isn't anything to post about. It wasn't the only option, it was the only option in my overwhelmed mental state.

 

 

 

This morning I awoke to make a sack lunch with no allergens. I had many near freak out as A wanted fruit loops for breakfast, pondering this evening's dinner and how to bleach every bathroom surface in one day, then decided to get a handle on myself through yoga.

After a restoration session I called the Dr. who told me he misread the lab report. A. does NOT have a wheat allergy, but she probably does have some kind of lactose intolerance that didn't show up on the blood test. Now she has an appointment with an Allergist and a Gastroenterologist. Thankfully the Allergist had a cancellation so Anna will go in Monday.

 

 

Nothing is concrete about these allergy possibilities, but if I can avoid those things that make A's stomach upset isn't that my job as her mother? But it starts my head spinning again. Tomatoes are related to potatoes so do we leave those out too? If I start dusting all over at once is that going to stir everything up and make it worse?  Should we get an air purifier, dehumidifier, hypoallergenic pillows and more lactaid milk? Is she going to puke all night because after all this thought I still made spagetti for dinner?

Wish me luck for A's sake and pray for DH's patience because I think his sanity hangs in the balance.

Happy Birthday Baby!

This isn't her nurse, but it is what her NICU area at the hospital looked like.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How we love you!

Ill

Sorry if it disturbs anyone that I talk about vomit so frequently as of late but it just is.

A. threw up again Sunday night. So that 'crapped' out our plans for Memorial Day (ha ha a poop joke!). She has had 4 vomit and 'runny poop' episodes in two weeks. The nurse on call gasped in horror when she heard "vomit...two weeks". I explained between the episodes she claimed to be fine and through it all had no fever. So after my partnership in deduction with the nurse we think A. may be lactose intolerant. It sounds like a nice little expression 'intolerant' but  'lactose rejectaprojectile'  would be a more apt description (I think I'll trademark it). So A. and I had a little discussion about no dairy products and bought the lactaid milk for cereal and some sorbet.

Today we went to the Dr. as a precaution thinking he would say, "YEP!" and send us on our merry way. After all it is only lactose 'intolerance'.  Instead he referred us to a pediatric gastroenterologist and said A. needed blood tests. WHAT? No this is not to rule out insideous diseases, this is to diagnose the 'intolerance'. When we got to the car A. very cheerfully asked how they would get the blood for the tests. I did consider coming up with a 'blood fairytale' on the fly but then realized within a few hours I would be ratted out by the true life blood fairy. After telling my tale of horror (phrased in a lighthearted and nonchalant manner) she cried. After retrieving the favorite webkin from home, having a reassuring lunch with Dad and promises of a slurpee reward A. was wonderful for her blood letting.

It was emotional for me (no I did not cry) because this week marks the first time I ever waited in that hospital lab. Thinking about our fears for Baby's health in that first month of her life and then looking at her now, squeeling and squirming to wreak havoc on said room in all her year old glory, was almost more than I could stand. Tomorrow I'll share the big celebration with you.

In discussing all this with DH he said, "This year is by far our most expensive health year ever". It is true. Baby was in NICU for three days (felt like more) then falsely diagnosed with a birth defect, R.'s braces, Baby's RSV, my detective type Dr. appts, tests and meds, and now the same for A. I've always been proud of my health, especially once I became a runner. It is great to answer on medical forms that you don't drink, don't smoke, don't use drugs and exercise regularly. But as you've read in my posts I've been knocked down a notch.

So why? Why is this our biggest year for illness? We're in the right place if it has to happen, some of the best medical care in the East. Eating worse? Nope we've focused even more this last year on eating healthy. Environmental Factors? Well can't rule that out, we are less than an hour from New Jersey (joking!)

But seriously folks my answer came in my Personality Psychology textbook:

 

 

"Certain types of stress...affect immune functioning" (p.278)

A few months ago I took a health class that included a stress analysis (recent life experiences and conditions), at the beginning and end of the course. First time I rated certain to have an illness due to stress. Second time around it lowered to simply 'likely' to have illness due to stress.

So here we are now not just stressed but stressed and ill. Ok body, I give in, we will do less stress. I will start my less stress regimen by eating a bag of almond M&Ms and reading more in 'Eat Pray Love".

 Oh peace and tranquility.....

 

 

dependable

If only people were as dependable as flowers.

Last year Mom and I planted a white peony, here it blooms full and bountiful.

 

 

This blood red rhododendron will be in full bloom soon.

 

 

Out of all the possibilities in my garden, only cucumbers failed to show. If only other efforts so abundantly produced.

Ready with tales of exceptions to the rule and bright hope of humanity's ability to improve?

 For today let me enjoy the flowers.

stuff

Get out Ol' Glory it is Memorial weekend.

My vote for the best way to remember veterans this wekend is to watch Band of Brothers. DH and I have been getting the DVDs from Netflix. There is some violence, language and one sex scene but it isn't saturated, comes across as authentic and really for HBO I worried it would be worse. IMO it has been well worth our time to watch.

Funny graphs?

make animals

When will you see Indiana?

The nurse called today about my blood and urine results. Everything is normal except vitamin D is a little low. The Dr. recommends I take a supplement, I'll take it as an excuse to lounge in the sun more.

He also wants me to try prednisone short term in decreasing dosage. I am hesitant to take a steroid but it is only for a week and then I'll report symptoms and side effects back to him. It is a diagnostic tool, he might be able to tell what is happening in my body by how I respond. If he wants to prescribe it long term I would need alot of convincing. One of the long term use side effects is decreased adrenal gland function (the body senses the artificial steriods and stops producing it's own), which is a possible existing problem for one of my siblings (she's waiting for diagnosis). I wouldn't want to push my body into something it could already be at risk for.  That and I'm vain and don't want to be swollen and gain back my weight loss.

Being on a regular dosage of ibuprofen has been helpful. I've felt better and slept better.

I am shocked at times the things I can't do easily anymore, do-able but with pain. Last night cutting veggies and opening jars for our yummy dinner was difficult. Guess I've avoided meals that involved all that work.  Nothing major but it is strange to me that so quickly I have limitations, I definately took my mobility and strength for granted, being this age it never occured to me I could loose it so young.

In other good news the Baby threw up last night. So plans for today were cancelled, which resulted in great mourning and gnashing of teeth because the kids have the day off. It has been a bumpy day, the summer will take some adjustment. How sad that we have to get used to being around each other!

coconut curry

Remember Harold from Top Chef? Yesturday while channel surfing I saw him making food (it happened to be on Martha Stewart but I don't like to give her credit for a 'good thing') then he used curry and coconut milk in the recipe, I put down the remote.

There is a great little chain called Noodles & Company, I came to love it in Denver, then had more in Utah on vacation, now I see they even have them in Indy (another reason to visit). They have lovely curry bowls and other things, varieties change often, inexpensive (compared to regular Thai fare, not compared to McDonalds) and fresh. This is the one place I enjoy eating tofu, don't miss out on the flatbread either. So that is why Harold caught my attention, he might deliver into my hands the ability to produce the curry goodness I miss.

His recipe is Red Snapper with baby bok choy. Shame of a name because it doesn't even mention the two best things (the afore mentioned coconut milk and curry). Today I made my own version-

Coconut Green Curry Chicken with Thai Noodles.

 

 

 

1 bunch scallions, white parts finely chopped and green parts sliced

6 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 stalk lemongrass, bottom 2 inches finely chopped

1 piece ginger (1 by 2 inches), peeled, plus 1 teaspoon, peeled and minced

4 cans (12 ounces each) coconut milk

1 can (4 ounces) green curry

1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar

approx. 1/3 cup lime juice 

1 tablespoon oil

4 chicken breasts pounded to an even 1/3 of an inch

Coarse salt and freshly ground white pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cups baby bok choy, sliced crosswise

1/2 cup salted cashews, toasted (to toast just roll them around in the hot pan until they start to brown, this happens fast)

1/2 box Thai noodles

1. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, scallion whites, lemongrass, and piece of ginger. Cook, stirring, until translucent, about 1 minute. Add coconut milk, green curry, sugar; let mixture simmer for 30 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve set over a medium bowl; stir in lime juice and scallion greens set aside.
2. Heat oil over med-high heat, season chicken with salt and pepper and add to skillet. (make sure it sizzles loudly) Keep the heat high, once it is golden brown on one side, turn it until golden brown on the other side.
3. In a medium skillet, add olive oil and minced ginger. Cook over medium heat, until ginger just begins to brown, about 1 minute. Add bok choy and cook until soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; sprinkle over cashews and toss to combine.
4. Make Thai noodles according to package directions.
5. To serve, spoon some of the sauce onto each of 4 plates. Top with bok choy and chicken; serve immediately.

 

Oooo I just had a thought, this would be good with other veggies too, mushrooms and/or carrots. YUMMY! (J. even ate it) I simplified and lowered the cost. The expensive ingredients left in were necessity, lemongrass is wonderous. 

Then this was dessert-

ready or not...

here it comes- SUMMER! It is my favorite time of year but with school age children it also fills me with an amount of dread. What will we do this summer? How can we have fun and learn on a loose schedule? How can we be together practically all the time and keep the peace? My ideas and expectations are always far beyond what is realistic and now even more so with my new companion 'Arthur Itis'.

This site gives me hope. I've already emailed to beg for Amy's summer camp plans. Is it realistic? My friend Traci did a summer craft camp when R was about 7. It was fun, maybe I could get other kids involved, a once or twice a week thing.

Swim lessons?

Photography class for R?

All of our parents are coming to visit, we'll have fun with them- the Kutztown festival, Statue of Liberty, Gettysburg, Lancaster, Ocean City... 

There are a few birthdays (I'll skip mine, thanks) and a baptism too!

DH and I have decided we'll go to an amusement park for our anniversary, hmmm... perhaps something to do with midlife?

I really really want to make a trip to Indy as well, the summer just doesn't seem long enough for all the possibilities.